Further Forces programme launched

Further Forces, a scheme that supports Armed Forces Service Leavers to move into a career in teaching in the further education sector, has been launched this week.

The initiative is a joint Gatsby programme with the Education and Training Foundation and the Ministry of Defence. Further Forces targets personnel working in technician fields, such as electrical installation, motor vehicle maintenance and construction, and supports them moving into a career as an FE teacher.

The University of Portsmouth and the University of Brighton have been awarded the national contracts to train (Portsmouth) and mentor (Brighton) Service Leavers enrolling on the programme. The project will be rolled out through two national hubs – one in the North of England and one in the South. The programme will run for two years and aims to recruit and train 110 new teachers in the sector.

Gatsby is supporting the mentoring element of the programme. The University of Brighton will build on previous research to design a mentoring programme to support the Service Leavers transitioning into FE teaching.

More information about Gatsby’s work on mentoring can be found on our website.

For further information on the Further Forces programme, please visit: http://www.port.ac.uk/school-of-education-and-childhood-studies/further-forces/